Overdue update!!

Hi Elijah!
It has been quite a long time since I have updated you!  We have just been busy getting through the days.  I know I have told you this before but time goes so fast - you get home, we eat dinner, we play for a bit, we take a bath and it is bed time.  Once you & Joey go to bed, dad and I try to get some stuff done but more often than not, it is a time to unwind.

So, what have we been up to?

We went to your first volleyball game!  We watched Morgan play.  You did good during the first game but then you got a little restless.  Morgan did great - she has an awesome serve.

We have been swimming at Prairie Life.  You love it.  But, then you miss the playroom.  We left you in the playroom and then you cried when we left.  You can't seem to make up your mind.

We went to Bounce U with Jacob and Marcus.  I think you had fun.  You bounced for a bit, played with their baseball and loved the slides.  I didn't know for sure if you would like them but you ended up going by yourself and laughing.

After Bounce U, we went and met your cousin Mila for the first time.  You were very gentle with her and gave her lots of kisses.  But, you were more enraptured with Brandi's cat Gus than Mila.  You definitely know his name!

We played on the swing set a couple of times and you have really changed since we bought it in April.  You can now go up the plank on your own.  You love the swing.  You love the slide and can go on your own.  Our neighbors come play and you love having their company.  I can't wait until you & Joey are playing together.

We went to River City Roundup and you were so fun.  We thought you were going to love the animals and you did but it took you a bit of time to warm up.  We made one trip through and you would not leave the stroller.  We played upstairs for a bit and then came back down to the animals.  This time, you were out of the stroller and petting them all.  We taught you that roosters say cock-a-doodle-doo so you were so excited to seem them up close rather than your puzzles.  You loved hearing the cows go "moo". Surprisingly, the goats were your absolute favorite.  I think you kind of mistook them for dogs.  As we left, we told you the cock-a-doodle-doo had to go night-night.  For 3 days, we heard all about the "doo-doo night night?"

We went back to the orchards with Debbie, Morgan and Dylan.  You picked a few apples but you were more enraptured with the kids than you were with the orchards.  Or, as Debbie said, you may be "one and done."  You liked it the first time and not as much the second.  Something new this time was that the pumpkins were ready.  I was so excited to get some new photos with the pumpkins!

We took a couple walks with our new stroller and you seemed to really like it.  You like being next to Joey and it must be a different angle because you seem content in it.  You are not screaming at us to get you out.

I was putting our Disney photos in a frame.  I showed you a picture of you with Handy & Daddy.  YOU FLIPPED OUT.  All you kept saying was "HANDY. DADDY. HANDY. DADDY."  It was so fun!  I can't wait to take you back when you are a bit older and you will love it even more.  But, that reaction to the photo was worth the trip & the heat!

You are doing a great job of transitioning into your big boy bed.  Since my last update, you have finally started falling asleep in there without us staying with you.  You will cry a bit and sometimes, you will come out but then go right back in.  Our next goal is to get you to sleep all night.  You wake up every night about 1 and wonder into our room.  Some nights, Joey will wake up and you will come in to tell us "JoeJoe" needs us.  One thing at a a time.

The last thing I wanted to share with you is about dinner time.  I have instituted a new rule - no phones or computers at dinner.  We all have to be there and enjoy each other's company.  You have been deciding that you don't want to eat - you want to get down and play.  So, we have resorted to bribing you.  You got a mini-potato head for your birthday from Auntie Susie.  You love it.  You like to play with all the pieces.  So, for each piece, you have to take a bite.  Then, if you want me to assemble it, each piece requires another bite.  It is a win-win situation  :)

I scrapbooked some old photos this past week too!  Unfortunately, you still have a red mark under your nose!  I think this is going to be a scar.

More cooking

Hi Elijah!
We had a great day today, huh?  You had breakfast with Daddy, got a haircut, we went to Morgan's volleyball game, had lunch (you were a PIGGIE - I haven't seen you eat that much in ages) and we cooked in the evening.

Once again, you made my heart ache today.  I was making apple bread.  I had you up on the counter while I was mixing the dry ingredients.  I got a spoon and I showed you how to mix it.  As I would add a new ingredient, I would say "Mix Mix Mix."  At the end, I had to do a few more mixes and you got really mad at me.  You said "me mix mix mix."  Then, we did more apples.  I cut them and you put them in the food processor and pressed the buttons.  You were such a big helper.  Yes, it takes a bit longer when you help but you love the responsibility and I like giving you a bit of independence to help.

Afterwards, we had to take a "splash splash." You were also a big help there too.  You helped wash your body.  You helped wash Joey and finally, you helped rinse Joey.  You really do like to help your little brother.  It is just that you like to pick on him just as much!

Last week, we signed up for 1 month at Prairie Life.  We went on Tuesday and we went swimming.  You were so brave, I was shocked.  You were holding on to the wall and moving all by yourself.  You were putting your face in the water up to your nose.  You were jumping in.  I love that you are getting so comfortable but it does make me a bit nervous if you are that brave and I am not there to catch you.

On Thursday, I took you & Joey to the daycare center while I walked on the treadmill.  You were scared to go in there and were mad at me that we weren't going splash splash.  After a few minutes, I think you adapted.  When I picked you up, they took Joey in the corner to put him in his car seat.  You were so upset because you couldn't find him.  You kept saying "Joe Joe" and looking everywhere.  When you finally saw him, you were so relieved that you tried to carry his car seat  :)  I hope that we go a few times this week and I will have to take you swimming again.

I think that is about it!  You look so darn cute with your short hair cut.  I hope we go to the orchards again next weekend.  Other than that, I think our week is pretty open!

Weekend update

Hi Elijah....
I am going to start with the bad and we will end happy with the good.  Let's just be blunt.  You are rotten.  Everything is "NO", you throw fits where you hit and bite, you don't listen and you are mean.  A friend of mine told me that it will last until you are 3.5.  Holy schmoly baby, that is a long time.

You started school this week.  You have brought home papers everyday!  You made an apple on a lid for A day and painted a ball for B day.  Unfortunately, you thought that paint was for eating and ate two brush fulls!

We have started training you with your money.  Instead of eating it, I am trying to teach you to put it in your bank.  You will run around the house screaming for money.  You will go up to your daddy (at my prompting) screaming "MoneyMoneyMoney."  You saw Gramma Faiman and she gave you a few dollars.  You came home and were so excited to show me your money.  Maybe we can teach you to be tight with your money  :)

Now, let's recap the good that helps to erase all that bad.  Today, you came upstairs and handed me an empty bottle.  I asked your dad if Joey needed a bottle and he said yes.  I made the bottle and I showed you how I shake, shake, shake.  You took it from me, said "shakeshakeshake" and shook it a bit.  Next thing I hear is your daddy telling me to come look at you.  I was in the middle of something so I couldn't come down but he told me you went on the lovesac and started feeding Joey.  You even had a burp cloth and would stop feeding him to wipe his mouth every once and awhile.  I was so proud of you that I could cry  :)  You are so smart - you watch and mimic everything and sometimes I forget that!  Quite often, you will go up to Joey and kiss him for no reason.  I guess that makes up for your rotten behavior when you are mean to him.

Yesterday, we went to the orchards.  I was so worried about finding an orchard that had lots of kid activities. We ended up deciding to go to Kimmel orchards and just getting some apples whether or not they had stuff for you to do.  We took the hay rack ride out to the orchards.  You didn't really like all those bumps!  But, as soon as we got you down to the ground, you were off to pull all the apples off the tree.  We bought a 5 lb bag to fill because I figured you would pick a couple, I would take some photos and it would be time to go.  You LOVED filling the bag!!  I was so sad we didn't buy the bigger bag.  You were so cute pulling an apple, putting it in your bag and carrying the bag to the next apple.  You did much better on the hayrack ride back.  We can't wait to go again!!

On the way home, Joey was a bit fussy because mom and dad forgot his formula.  You started screaming at him "LOLO, NO".  You were tired of the crying and you call him LoLo because you just can't bring yourself to say JoeJoe.  :)  He listened for a few minutes and I swear you two had a conversation.  You would yell at him, he would stop.  Then he would cry again and you would yell at him.

This morning, we got to work on those apples.  I had you help me unload the dishwasher.  You put all of Joey's bottles and nipples on his rack.  Then, I stood you on the counter and started handing you bowls and plates.  You did such a good job and you really liked the responsibility.  Then, we started washing the apples.  I put you in the big side of the sink and you "helped" me wash.  Mostly, you liked throwing the apples in the water to make a splash.  Finally, you were in charge of putting the apples in the food processor and pushing the button.  You did great!

I don't think we have a ton going on this week.  We did a great job last week of eating at home.  I have also got everything planned out for this week.  Today, we are going to go play with Jake for a bit at Great Gramma's.  Daddy has 2 nights this week where he is going to be gone and I don't think we have any plans for this weekend!

Here are some photos from our weekend ....

You were supposed to be in this photo with me and "LoLo" but you wouldn't pose.  You were just too busy with apples. 

Look how cute you were in your overalls.

You carried the bag up until the point it was about 5 lbs.  Then, the handle ripped and you were done  :)

A couple high apples with daddy just for photos!

At the end, we polished off an apple and all of us shared it.  It was TASTY.

 You really look like you are washing here.  In reality, you like playing with the water  :)

You and your favorite kitchen tool - the food processor.  All the apples were done.

Disney Videos

Well, Lijah, we are not the best videographers but....

Here is you "dancing" when the Handy Manny song was playing.  Video goes to black about 26 seconds in  :)

You playing with Daddy and "dancing" with your arms for the Mickey Mouse funhouse song.  Ignore mommy's voice singing :)

Florida trip

Hi Elijah!
We are wrapping up our week's vacation while Mary was on vacation.  We took a last minute trip down to Florida to see Gramma Debi D, Mickey, Goofy & HANDY MANNY  :)

You did a great job on the plane.  We wish you would have slept longer and wish that landings weren't so traumatizing to you but, overall, you were a good sport.  When we got to Gramma Debi D's, it was all about her puppy Ms. Stevi.  We were pretty tired when we got there but you immediately perked up when you saw the woof-woof.  First thing out of your mouth in the morning was "woof-woof."

On Sunday, we went to the beach.  The waves coming in and out kind of scared you - especially when the sand shifted under your feet.  But, overall, you enjoyed the beach.  You played in the sand, you collected shells, you let the waves roll over your toes and you were rotten enough to throw sand into your brother's face.  It was a great treat for me to see you at the beach.  I love water and I loved seeing you enjoying the visit.  Afterwards, we went swimming at Gramma's pool and you were braver than I have ever seen you.  It was a great day with our family of 4!

On Monday, we went to Disney.  We had lunch right when we walked in the door.  After that, there was a parade going on.  You were so excited to Mickey and Minnie.  But, as they got closer, you got scared.  It wasn't a good omen for our 2 days of Disney parks.

Your favorite ride of the day was It's a Small World.  You were scared at first then you loved all the dolls.  We also rode Pooh and Buzz Light year.  You liked the serenity of It's a Small World.  Unfortunately, you are your mother's child.  For it being so hot and you not having a nap, you did really well at the park.  After we had dinner, we went to Downtown Disney and you did great even though it was so late in the night.  You got a little spoiled with treats at Downtown by both me and Gramma Debi D!

On Tuesday, we went to Hollywood Studios and you enjoyed that much more.  I don't know if you were more comfortable in the park or it just had more for you to do.  We walked in and saw Handy Manny.  This was the moment I was waiting for.  I had Daddy man the camera and Gramma Debi D man the video camera.  I wanted your excitement all captured.  Well, you were excited when we were far away but you were traumatized up close.  I was kind of surprised because he is your favorite.

We did a character lunch that day with Handy Manny, Oso and 2 Little Einsteins.  You were still scared but you did high 5 one of the Einsteins.  It was fun to be in that diner because there was singing and dancing.  It was fun to watch you watch the activities.  You did jump up and down and sing a bit.

We went to meet the "vroom vrooms", saw the Muppet show and when we were walking out, you wanted to see the "vroom vrooms" again.  After that, we went to meet Pooh and Mickey.  You tore at my heart with Mickey.  You were still scared of him but when we left, you waved bye-bye and you blew him a kiss.  *swoon*

Our final stop for the day was the Disney Jr stage show.  I didn't know quite what to expect but thought you would like it.  You LOVED it.  It was all your favorite people - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters, Handy Manny, and Jake and the Neverland pirates.  You stood up, sang, danced, clapped and were so excited.  I think this show was the highlight of the trip for me, Daddy & Gramma Debi D.  It was your true moment of Disney Magic.

We wrapped up the day with some shopping.  You got more spoiled.  You would grab things and run out of the shop (little thief).  One memorable moment was when you got out of your stroller, grabbed a ball, put it in the stroller basket and climbed back into your stroller.  It was like, I want this and I am going to take it.  Thankfully, we caught all your thievery so we didn't all get thrown in the can  :)

Yesterday, we went to our first Husker Party of the season at Auntie Becky's.  You had fun watching the fish and entertaining your Blankman family with your antics.  Towards the end of the afternoon, Stephen brought out one of his snakes.  You were really scared at first then you were all excited.  You were petting the albino snake and laughing.  I was petrified because you kept going for his head - talk about heart palpitations.  Later, they brought out another boa constrictor and you pet that one too.  When we were down with outside, Auntie Becky took you downstairs.  I couldn't tell by your noises if you were scared or excited but they told me you were flipping out excited.  They have several snakes down there in glass aquariums.  Because they were locked up, you were finally able to touch their heads through the glass and you were happy  :)  Now, you will want to go to Auntie Becky's for both the fish and the snakes!

I must confess that it this week was a treat and Mary being on vacation forced us to do something we wouldn't have normally done.  I really enjoyed Disney and watching you experience it.  I know that you will never, ever remember it but your daddy and I will.  We can't wait to take you & Joey back there as you are older to see you enjoy it even more.  I fear we are going to end up being one of those annual trip families.

Developmentally, you are talking a lot more.  It seems like every day, you are saying words I haven't heard before.  You have 3-4 new teeth coming in so you won't have any gaps any more.  You don't seem to be screaming during the night anymore.  We shared a bed at Gramma Debi D's (me, you and daddy) and you are a complete bed hog.  You are so smart that it kills me - we saw Donald and Daisy at Hollywood Studios.  You said "Quack Quack."  Later in the day, we passed that same spot a few times. Each time, you would say "Quack Quack" even though they weren't there anymore.  I couldn't believe with all the walking we did that you remembered where they were.

Tuesday is a big day for you.  You start preschool at daycare!  You got your own backpack (which you picked out) and you will start your school work.  I can't wait to get your papers - which, for now, will just be scribbles.  I can't believe that you are even remotely old enough to start preschool - just yesterday you were being born  :)

We have some good family photos coming on our disk from Disney but I will leave you with some from my camera.

You on the plane with "your" (aka my) ipad.

Sandy hands and face on the beach

Playing with the beach toys gramma bought you

Showing Gramma how to work the ipad with Ms. Stevi

Trying on hats at the hat store

You picked the ugliest hat in the whole store.  I tried to distract you with lots of others and you kept going back to this ugly thing - which Gramma took pity on you & bought it.

The Dumbo ride was closed but we got to sit in a seat and take a photo together

Shock and awe in the "It's a Small World Ride" - look how sweaty and hot we were!  When we came out, it was raining so we cooled off.

Splash park at Downtown Disney

Plastic Poohs are OK - real Pooh did not lend itself to this smile!

Disney Jr. Show

Handy & the Tools during the Disney Jr. Show

Jake and the Neverland Pirates during the Jr. show - to which you started going "Yo ho" just like the show.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - you started clapping but they did not sing the "Hot Dog" song.

Screaming at Handy.

Round 2 with Handy - must have caught a quick breath between screams.

Characters in the center of Hollywood Studios.  You really enjoyed them - can't you tell?  :)

End of the day sucker treat

Lunch with Handy - we tricked you.  I saw him coming and told your daddy to stand you up and distract you.  Then, when he got behind you, I snapped the photo before you saw him & started screaming.

Gramma showing you how much she loves Oso and you could hug him too  :)

You watching the show - not a good photo but it just reminds me of how excited you were clapping, dancing and singing.

Being cheesy with your mama - or "daddy" like you call me.

Vroom Vroom tattoo - it is just now starting to come off.  Lasted almost a week.

Silly hat

Really silly hat that ended up coming home with us.  You loved it like a dork  :)

You & Gramma Debi D before she left

This is a silly photo but it is endearing to me.  You gathered up all your treats from shopping - your vroom vroom light toy, your bead hat, your mickey & minnie key chains and your mickey bracelet.  You laid on the bed and started playing with them.  It just made me think that you were laying there reliving the trip with your toys.

You & Stephen with the albino boa.

The other boa.

A full shot of the albino.